Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga stated that the late Beryl Odinga was the closest friend the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had.

Speaking during Beryl’s requiem mass in Nairobi on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Ruth Odinga eulogised her sister, noting that she passed away before Raila Odinga’s grave could even grow grass. She described Beryl as Raila’s closest confidante.

She recounted how, upon learning about Raila’s death, she and her sister Guenwa wondered how Beryl would cope with the loss, fearing she would not recover.

Also watch: Ruth Odinga urges Kikuyu-Luo unity in honour of Raila

Ruth added that Raila was surely waiting to welcome Beryl home, together with their late parents and all those in the family who departed before them.

“As you’ve heard, one of the best friends of my brother, Raila, and I and my sister, Guenwa, immediately knew of the loss of Raila. First of all, we wondered how we were going to tell her, but after knowing, we thought that she would not be able to recover from the death of her brother.  I can only say, Raila is waiting for you at the gate to welcome you home,” Ruth said.

Ruth Odinga shared that she had been Beryl’s carer throughout her battle with illness and that even in her final days, Beryl remained brave.

She recalled that just a day before her passing, Beryl was still smiling with her and her daughter, trying her best to stay alive.

She emphasised that the family and the nation had lost a truly courageous woman.

During the ceremony, Edwin Sifuna likened the woes that the Odinga family has gone through for the past 3 months after suffering a double loss to the biblical Job, who went through similar sufferings but triumphed at the end

Sakaja’s remarks

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also eulogised with the family, pledging that the role that beryl held at Nairobi water will be preserved for the family

“I had committed to her that I would take care of her family. We will not leave you. I know my chairman is here for Nairobi Water. The gap left by Beryl will stay in the family; we will make sure that one of you can take that,” said Sakaja.